It has been a story of persistence and resilience, but Jack Martin is set to return to the top level and make his Geelong AFL debut on Saturday afternoon.
Bringing 151 games of experience, Martin joined the Cats at the end of 2024 after stints with Gold Coast and Carlton, a talented player with the ability to play numerous positions across the ground.
After an interrupted first half of the 2025 season, Martin returned via Geelong's VFL team a fortnight ago collecting an impressive 18 disposals and eight marks in a half of football against Footscray.
The 30 year old put together another strong showing last week against Williamstown, accumulating 22 possessions and four score involvements while going at 87% disposal efficiency.
Martin will pull on the Hoops on Saturday with the number 19 emblazoned on his guernsey, which was presented to him earlier in the year by Geelong great, Neville Bruns.
"I am very excited, very humbled to be wearing the number 19," Martin said earlier this year.
"Obviously Neville played over 200 games in it, so like I said I am extremely I am extremely humbled and honoured to be wearing it.
"I think it is not so much proving people wrong, I think I just want to prove to myself that I can play AFL football.
"I just want to get out there and showcase my skill, and then play for my family so I am looking forward to the year."
Martin grew up and played his junior footy in Western Australia, making his senior debut for Towns Football Club at just 15 years of age.
An AFL career beckoned and the talented youngster was selected by the Gold Coast Suns in the 2012 Incentive Mini Draft, which featured players that were too young to be eligible for the AFL Draft.
In 2014, Martin made his AFL debut with the Suns and went on to play 97 games across six seasons, before moving to Carlton where he spent another five years.
After finishing up with the Blues at the conclusion of the 2024 season, Martin signed with Geelong as a free agent and commenced the next chapter of his football journey.
During his time with the Suns, Martin was deployed in a number of different roles ranging from half back to half forward, while also showing plenty of natural talent through the middle of the ground.
But with a strong set of hands and an elite goal sense, the half forward line was where Martin had his biggest impact.
After joining Carlton it became more of a permanent move, playing primarily as a forward and averaging close to a goal per game.
Martin will make his AFL debut with Geelong on Saturday afternoon, when the Cats take on the Gold Coast Suns at GMHBA Stadium.
